Transocean Drilling is planned to build 10 jack-up drilling platforms

Posted on
June 18, 2019

It is reported that Transocean Drilling Company plans to build up to 10 high-profile jack-up rigs, estimated to cost more than $2 billion. This strategic move aims to rebuild its strong position in the shallow water market. The large contractor is expected to receive tenders from numerous builders for new orders for 5+5 jack-up rigs. Contracts may be awarded before the end of October, but it is unclear whether they are speculative orders or related to oil company drilling contracts. The move confirms Eva Ikaheimonen, the new chief financial officer of Transocean Drilling Company, at a speech at the Pareto Securities Offshore Oil and Gas Conference earlier this month, when he mentioned the company's interest in expanding its jack-up drilling business. The company's planned drilling rig is a 400-foot independent pile-leg cantilever offshore mobile drilling unit with a maximum load of 2 million pounds, which can be operated globally, except in the Norwegian waters of the North Sea. Similar rigs that have been built in recent years have been designed using the Friede & Goldman JU2000E, KFELs Super B Class, LeTourneau C240 â€‹â€‹and PPL Pacific Class, which may all be considered for the company's tender. In order to expand the scope of its shipyard selection, Transocean Drilling Company not only contacted Singapore's experienced builders of jack-up drilling rigs, but also contacted shipyards in China and South Korea. In the past three years, Seadrill has placed orders for 10 new jack-up rigs in Dalian, China. Some sources pointed out that Seadrill is a pioneer and opened the way for Chinese shipyards to further undertake orders from transoceanic drilling companies and other major drilling contractors.